A week of Christmas Fun with a Very Special Ending

Waldo was one cute puppy!

School Christmas Pagent

Last week, Lily Grace's class had a wonderful week of Christmas fun at school.  Things were kicked off a little earlier in the month with each student bringing in a "Good Deeds" box.  After much discussion at school  about the birth of Christ, we began.   Parents kept track of all good deeds performed and would periodically turn the list in to Mrs. C who would then trade each child a piece of straw for each good deed.  They were collecting straw for the baby Jesus.  It was really sweet and struck a chord with the kids.  Lily Grace worked hard and it was really important to her to get as much hay for Baby Jesus as she could.  On the last day of school the kids were told to bring their boxes home and place them under the tree or near the family Nativity.  Lily Grace was so proud and I have to say, we thought the whole concept was quite special and really helped convey a wonderful message. 
Her class also celebrated with fun activities like decorating gingerbread houses, a Family Pancake breakfast and a Secret Santa exchange among the kids.  Lily Graced loved Secret Santa.  Each day, she would take and receive a small little treat for the person she had drawn and then on the day of the class party, they exchanged a gift and revealed themselves.  You could hear squeals in car line as soon as the school doors opened each afternoon and first graders ran out excited to share what the day had brought. Believe it or not, I think they all managed to keep the secret of who they had.  
Lily Grace's class also put on a class play where they shared the true meaning of Christmas entitled, "Waldo Tell Me About Christmas."  Lily Grace was Waldo, the dog and did a great job with all of her lines.  The entire class did a wonderful job and it was the sweetest thing, followed by a luncheon for the parents.  What a special gift!
On Friday of last week, we were treated to a MOST special ending to the last week of school before Christmas vacation.  The entire school put on a Christmas pageant that Matt and I agree was one of the most moving things we had seen and been a part of.  It wasn't your typical kids singing Jingle Bells with a few religious songs scattered through and a few speaking parts here and there, it was a complete celebration of the birth of Jesus.  The lights were turned out in the gym and all the kids proceeded in with candles singing.  There was a living nativity (right down to an actual infant) and the telling of the story of Christ birth.  It was extremely moving.  Again, it wasn't about bells and whistles and the inclusion of all holidays, it was about the birth of our Savior.  It was special and something I'm so proud that Lily Grace was a part of and gets to experience. 
Thank you so much God for the birth of your son and for the blessing of Lily Grace's Catholic education, where it really is, all about You.